Ballistic impulse gauge

Abstract

A gauge for detecting the impulse generated in sample materials by X-rays or other impulse producing mechanisms utilizes a pair of flat annular springs to support a plunger relative to a housing which may itself be supported by a pair of flat annular springs in a second housing. The plunger has a mounting plate mounted on one end and at the other, a position or velocity transducer is mounted. The annular springs consist of an outer ring and an inner ring with at least three arcuate members connecting the outer ring with the inner ring.

I claim: 
     
       1. A ballistic impulse gauge comprising: a pair of resilient members,   an impulse receiving piston located intermediate said pair of resilient members,   an outer casing, and   an impact member affixed to one end of the impulse receiving piston and located externally of said outer casing,   said resilient members affixed to said outer casing and to said impulse receiving piston so that said impulse receiving piston may oscillate relative to said outer casing.   
     
     
       2. The gauge of claim 1 wherein each of said resilient members comprise a unitary structure consisting of an outer annular ring, an inner annular ring, and a plurality of at least three elongated arcuate members interconnecting said outer annular ring with said inner annular ring.   
     
     
       3. The gauge of claim 2 wherein each of the elongated arcuate members comprises an outer portion, an inner portion and a cross member, said outer portion being substantially parallel to said inner portion and unitarily connected to the inner periphery of said outer annular ring at one end and to one end of said cross member at its other end, said inner portion being connected at one end to the other end of said cross member and at its other end to the outer periphery of said inner annular ring. 
     
     
       4. The gauge of claim 3 wherein the impulse receiving piston is affixed to each of the inner annular rings. 
     
     
       5. The gauge of claim 3 wherein each of the outer annular rings is affixed to the inner periphery of the outer casing. 
     
     
       6. The gauge of claim 3 wherein the outer casing is cylindrical and defines a first end and a second end; and further wherein the first of the two resilient members is affixed at its outer periphery to the first end of the outer casing and the second of the two resilient members is affixed at its outer periphery to the second end of the outer casing. 
     
     
       7. The gauge of claim 6 wherein the impulse receiving piston comprises of an elongated member having a length substantially equal to the length of the outer casing and further wherein said impulse receiving piston defines a first end and a second end. 
     
     
       8. The gauge of claim 7 wherein said impulse receiving piston is affixed at its first end to the inner periphery of the first of the two resilient members and wherein said impulse receiving piston is affixed at its second end to the inner periphery of the second of the two resilient members. 
     
     
       9. A ballistic impulse gauge assembly comprising: a first pair of resilient members,   an impulse receiving piston,   a first casing;   an impact receiving member affixed to said piston and located external to said first casing;   said first pair of resilient members affixed to said first casing and to said impulse receiving piston so that said impulse receiving piston may oscillate relative to said first casing;   a second pair of resilient members;   a second casing;   said second pair of resilient members affixed to said second casing and to said first casing so that said first casing may oscillate relative to said second casing; and   transducer means mounted between one of said second pair of resilient members and said impulse receiving piston and operatively connected to receive an output from said impulse receiver piston.   
     
     
       10. The gauge of claim 9 wherein the transducer means comprise an eddy current position sensor, a coil and magnet velocity transducer, or an optical position encoder. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said resilient members comprise a unitary structure consisting of an outer annular ring, an inner annular ring, and a plurality of at least three elongated arcuate members interconnecting said outer annular ring with said inner annular ring.   
     
     
       12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the elongated arcuate members comprises of an outer portion, an inner portion and a cross member, said outer portion being substantially parallel to said inner portion and unitarily connected to the inner periphery of said outer annular ring at one end and to one end of said cross member at its other end, said inner portion connected at one end to the other end of said cross member and at its other end to the outer periphery of said inner annular ring. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the first and second casings are each cylindrical and define a first end and a second end; and further wherein the first of each pair of resilient members is affixed at its outer periphery to the first end of the first and second casings, and the second of each pair of resilient members is affixed at its outer periphery to the second end of the first and second casings. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the impulse receiving piston comprises of an elongated member having a length substantially equal to the length of the first casing and further wherein said impulse receiving piston defines a first end and a second end. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said impulse receiving piston is affixed at its first end to the inner periphery of one of the first pair of resilient members, and wherein said impulse receiving piston is affixed at its second end to the inner periphery of another of the first pair of resilient members. 
     
     
       16. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said second end of said first casing includes a cylindrical member which is secured to a resilient member of said second pair of resilient members. 
     
     
       17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said transducer means is located within said cylindrical member and operatively connected to receive an output from said impulse receiving piston.